JP2001314126A - Plant-cultivating container with water reservoir - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that rain water comes to stand in a large amount (up to the height of the container verge of opening) on soil, which leads to cause adverse effect to a plant when a rainwater quantity of the rain falling on a container becomes larger than a seepage water quantity into soil in a conventional container with a water reservoir for cultivating the plant. SOLUTION: A plant-cultivating container where rainfall water does not stand on soil 9 held in the container itself is arranged as follows: water-passing parts 31 are placed near upper surface 9a of the soil 9 held within a container body 1 in such a way that redundant water is made to flow from the water- passing parts 31 into spatial parts 14 placed on container side walls and then is made to flow down to a water reservoir 13 situated on the bottom of the container to be collected there when the vicinity of the surface 9a is flooded in rainfall; and when the water level within the reservoir 13 reaches the height of a drainage outlet 15, an increment of water after that is automatically discharged from the drainage outlet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plant growing container such as a planter or a flowerpot, and more particularly to a plant growing container having a water storage portion provided with a water storage portion at the bottom of the container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a plant growing container such as a planter, a drain hole is formed at the bottom of a soil container, and water supply or rainwater into the container penetrates the soil. The water is drained from the drain hole at the bottom.

When this type of plant growing container is used outdoors, the amount of rainwater falling into the container during rainfall may be greater than the amount of water that permeates the soil in the container and is discharged from the drain hole. In many cases, rainwater accumulates over the top surface of the soil to the level of the opening edge of the container.

[0004] If the water remains on the soil as described above, the portion below the stem of the plant planted there will be flooded, which has a problem of adversely affecting the growth of the plant. In particular, when the height of the plant is small, the whole plant is submerged, causing more adverse effects, and when the roots are not sufficiently extended, the plant may fall down, and eventually the roots may fall out and float in the water. .

In this type of conventional plant growing container, a water reservoir is provided at the bottom of the container so that the water in the water reservoir can be penetrated into the soil by a water absorbing material (eg, sponge or cloth). There is something. In such a plant growing container with a water storage unit, while water remains in the water storage unit, the water in the water storage unit can be sucked into the soil, so that water is replenished for several days (for example, within one week). There is an advantage that there is no need to perform.

However, this kind of plant growing container with a water storage unit has a problem that there is no means for easily detecting the amount of residual water in the water storage unit from outside, and the timing of water supply cannot be determined.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional plant growing container, the present invention has a first object to prevent rainwater from collecting above the upper surface of the soil in the container, and furthermore, to measure a residual water amount in a water storage portion. Is easily detected from the outside as a second object.

[0008]

The present invention has the following structure as means for solving the above-mentioned problems. The invention of claim 1 of the present application is to provide an inner bottom material for placing soil at a predetermined height from the bottom surface of the container body, and to provide a water storage portion below the inner bottom material in the container body, The present invention is directed to a plant cultivation container with a water storage portion that allows water in the water storage portion to penetrate into the soil on the midsole material through a water absorbing material. In addition, this type of plant growing container with a water storage section is already commercially available in various forms (for example, a rectangular planter, a cylindrical flowerpot, and the like). According to the first aspect of the present invention, the plant growing container with the water storage section has the following features.

First, an inner wall material is installed inside at least a part of the side wall of the container body at a predetermined small interval from the inner surface of the side wall, and a space communicating with the water storage portion between the inner surface of the side wall and the inner wall material. Part is formed. For example, when the container body is a rectangular planter, the inner wall material may be installed on only one surface, or on two, three, or all four surfaces of the peripheral side wall. This inner wall material is necessary at least at the installation depth of the midsole material.

[0010] A water passage is formed near the height of the inner wall material where the top surface of the soil is located so that a part of the rainwater that has fallen into the container body can flow out to the space side. The water-permeable portion of the inner wall material has a mesh-like or slit-like shape or a large number of small holes that can prevent the passage of soil particles. A suitable range of the height for forming the water-passing portion is a range of about several cm (for example, 3 to 5 cm) straddling the top and bottom of the soil accommodated in the container.

Further, a drain port for overflow is provided in the side wall of the container near the height where the midsole material is located. This drain port is for draining more water out of the container body when water accumulates in the water storage portion up to the vicinity of the installation of the insole material.

The plant growing container with a water storage portion according to the present invention can be used indoors, but exhibits an effect when used outdoors. That is, when this plant growing container is used outdoors,
During rainfall, the amount of rainfall into the container may be larger than the amount of rainwater permeating into the soil. In that case, the vicinity of the top surface of the soil is flooded, but the excess water near the top surface of the soil flows from the water passage provided near the top surface of the soil on the inner wall material to the space between the inner wall material and the container body side wall. And flows down and is stored in the water reservoir at the bottom of the container through the space. Therefore, rainwater hardly accumulates on the soil. Also, the rainwater flowing into the water storage section through the space section from the water flow section of the inner wall material overflows from the water discharge port after the water level in the water storage section reaches the height of the water discharge port, and the water in the water storage section becomes The water level does not increase beyond the drain. The invention of claim 2 of the present application is a double container having an outer container serving as an exterior body and an inner container for storing soil, and when the inner container is accommodated in the outer container, While a water reservoir of a predetermined depth remains under the bottom wall of the inner container in the outer container,
The present invention is directed to a plant growing container with a water storage unit that allows water in a water storage unit to penetrate into soil in an inner container via a water absorbing material. According to the invention of claim 2, the above-mentioned plant growing container with a water storage section has the following features.

First, a space portion having a predetermined small interval communicating with the water storage portion is formed between the side wall of the outer container and the side wall of the inner container. In addition, near the height of the side wall of the inner container where the top surface of the soil is located, there is formed a water passage portion that allows a part of the rainwater falling into the inner container to flow out to the space side. The water passage section may have a mesh shape, a slit shape, or a large number of small holes having a size that can prevent passage of soil particles.

Further, a drain port for overflowing water in the water storage section is provided near the height of the inner container bottom wall on the side wall of the outer container.

The second aspect of the present invention also provides a plant growing container with a water reservoir, which has the same function as that of the first embodiment, that is, it can prevent rainwater from collecting on the soil, and the water in the water reservoir has a high drainage opening. After that, the water can overflow from the drain port. The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that the plant growing container with a water storage section according to claim 1 or 2 is provided with a water level display section which allows the height of the water level in the water storage section to be visually observed from outside. And

As the water level display part, a transparent pipe communicating with the bottom of the water storage part is set up at a predetermined height outside the container body (or the outer container), or a long hole is formed in the wall surface of the water storage part. What closed the long hole outer surface with the transparent plate etc. can be employ | adopted. The water level display section can detect the remaining water amount in the water storage section by visually observing the height of the water level in the transparent pipe or the transparent plate from the outside.
Note that mud and moss may adhere to the inner wall surface of the transparent pipe, making it difficult to see the inside. However, if a transparent color (for example, fluorescent color) float is stored in the transparent pipe, Even if moss adheres, the float can be easily seen and the water level can be confirmed.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A plant growing container with a water storage according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
2 and 3 show a first embodiment, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment. First Embodiment The plant growing container of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 employs a planter. The planter according to the first embodiment includes a rectangular container body 1, an inner bottom member 2 installed in the container body 1, and two partition wall-shaped inner wall members 3, 3 as basic members. ing. In addition, the container body 1, the insole material 2,
Each of the inner wall members 3 and 3 is formed of a plastic material.

The container body 1 has an outer periphery 4 of a rectangular bottom wall 11.
The surfaces are respectively formed by side walls 12, 12,.... This container 1 can be of a general size that is commercially available. In the illustrated example, the container 1 has an opening of 40 cm × 18 cm and a depth of about 22 cm.

The insole 2 is for placing the soil 9 thereon, and is a rectangular plate. A mesh-shaped drainage hole 21 is formed on the entire inner bottom material 2. The drain holes 21 allow the passage of water but prevent the passage of soil particles.

A plurality (eight in the illustrated example) of legs 22, 22,... Are integrally formed on the lower surface side of the insole 2.
Each of the legs 22, 22,... Is hollow and has a length of about 4 to 6 cm. When the midsole member 2 is installed in the container body 1, the legs 22, 22... Come into contact with the bottom wall 11 of the container body 1, and move the midsole member 2 from the container body bottom walls 11 to 4. ~ 6
It can be installed at an upper position separated by about cm. The width of the inner sole 2 is very slightly smaller than the width in the container body 1 at the installed height of the inner sole, and the length of the inner sole 2 is smaller than the width of the container 1 at the installed height of the inner sole. It is designed to be smaller than the inside length by the length of each of the inner wall materials 3 and 3 described later. Then, in a state where the inner bottom material 2 is installed in the container body 1, the water storage portion 13 is formed at a lower portion of the bottom portion in the container body 1 than the inner bottom material 2.

Each of the legs 22, 22,... Of the midsole member 2 has a water absorbing material 23, 23,. -Is inserted. As the water absorbing material 23, a material such as cloth and sponge that can cause a capillary phenomenon is used.

Each of the inner wall members 3 is formed in a plate shape having substantially the same shape as the side wall 12 facing the width direction of the container body 1. still,
Each of the inner wall members 3, 3 has the same shape as each other. On each outer surface side of the inner wall member 3, small projecting walls 32, 32 serving as spacers are formed. The outward projection width of the small projection wall 32 is, for example, 5-6.
It may be about mm. Notches 33, 33 for allowing water to pass therethrough are formed in the lower end corners of the inner wall material 3. Each of the inner wall members 3, 3 is provided with a respective side wall 1 facing the width direction of the container body 1.
In the installed state, the side wall 12 and the inner wall material 3 of the container body 1 are inserted along the container bodies 1 and 2.
And the space portions 14 and 1 corresponding to the width of the small projection wall 32.
4 will be formed.

At a position close to the upper portion of the inner wall member 3, a water passage portion 31 for discharging rainwater falling into the container body 1 to the space portion 14 side is formed. In the illustrated example, the water passage section 31 has a mesh shape, and allows water to pass therethrough but blocks passage of soil particles. The water passage section 31 is formed in a range of about several cm (for example, 3 to 5 cm) straddling the upper and lower surfaces of the soil 9 accommodated in the container body 1.

The side wall 12 of the container body 1 is formed with a drain port 15 for overflowing water stored in the water storage section 13 near the height where the midsole member 2 is installed. Therefore, the water is stored in the water storage unit 13 only up to the height at which the drain port 15 is formed (near the installation height of the midsole 2).

On the outer surface of the side wall 12 of the container 1, a water level indicator 4 for displaying the height of the water level in the water reservoir 13 is provided. The water level display unit 4 of the first embodiment includes:
The lower end of the vertically oriented transparent pipe 41 is communicated with the vicinity of the bottom in the water storage section 13 so that the water level in the transparent pipe 41 can be viewed from the outside. In the transparent pipe 41, a float 42 of a color that is easy to see (for example, a fluorescent color) is accommodated. The float 42 is relatively easy to see even when moss or mud adheres to the inner surface of the transparent pipe 41.
The water level inside can be detected.

The plant growing container with a water storage section shown in FIG. 2 is used as follows. First, the inner wall members 3 are inserted into the container body 1 along the side walls (short width side walls) 12 facing the width direction of the container body 1. Next, each leg 2 of the insole 2
With the water-absorbing materials 23, 23,... Attached to 2, 22,. At this time, the outer periphery of the inner bottom material 2 is formed on the inner surfaces of the inner wall materials 3 and 3 and the respective side walls (long side walls) 12 and 12 facing the length direction of the container body 1.
Is so close to or joined to the inner surface that soil particles do not pass through. Then, the soil 9 is filled in a space surrounded by the upper surface of the inner bottom material 2, the inner surfaces of the inner wall materials 3, 3 and the long side walls 12, 12 in the container body 1. At this time, the height of the upper surface 9a of the soil 9 is set in the height range of the water passage 31 of the inner wall material 3. Next, water is supplied into the water storage unit 13,
In this embodiment, the water is supplied to the drain 15 or the transparent pipe 4.
1 can be replenished. Also, when the water level supplied into the water storage section 13 reaches near the lower surface of the midsole material 2, the drain port 15
Automatically drains from it, at which point it stops refilling. In this state, the water in the water storage section 13 is sucked up to the upper surface of the middle bottom material 2 by the capillary action via the respective water absorbing materials 23, 23,. The soil 9 is maintained in a moderately moist state. Then, in this state, a plant is planted on the soil 9 and grown.

In the plant growing container of this embodiment, while water remains in the water storage section 13, the water in the water storage section 13 is sucked up to the bottom of the soil 9 by the respective water absorbing materials 23, 23,. Furthermore, it penetrates to the vicinity of the hair root of the plant. Therefore, even if the user is away from home for a few days on a trip or the like (even if he stops watering), there is no problem. Further, the amount of water in the water storage section 13 can be easily detected by looking at the transparent pipe 41 portion of the water level display section 4 (especially, the float 4 in the transparent pipe 41).
2 can be seen better), and if the amount of remaining water is low, replenish it. If a transparent pipe 41 having an open upper side is used, if moss or mud adheres to the inside of the transparent pipe 41 and the inside becomes difficult to see, a rod-shaped brush or the like is inserted from the upper opening of the transparent pipe 41. Dirt can be cleaned.

When the plant growing container is used outdoors, a large amount of rainwater also falls in the container 1 when it rains (especially during heavy rain). At that time, the amount of rainfall into the container 1 decreases. If the amount of permeated water that permeates the soil 9 becomes larger, the vicinity of the soil upper surface 9a becomes flooded. At that time, the surplus water near the top surface of the soil flows out from the water passage portions 31, 31 of the inner wall members 3, 3 to the space portions 14, 14 as shown by an arrow A in FIG. Further, the rainwater flowing into the space portions 14 flows down and is stored in the water storage portion 13. Then, when the water level in the water storage section 13 reaches the height of the drain port 15, the increased water thereafter overflows from the drain port 15 as shown by the arrow B. Therefore, even in the case of heavy rain, water does not accumulate on the soil upper surface 9a in the container 1, so that it is possible to eliminate the adverse effect on plants due to water accumulation on the soil as in the related art. 2nd Embodiment The plant growing container with a water storage part of 2nd Embodiment shown in FIG.3 and FIG.4 has shown the modification of the water level display part 4 in the said 1st Embodiment. The water level display unit 4 of the second embodiment includes:
A long hole 72 is formed in the container body side wall (long side wall in this embodiment) 12 in a range corresponding to the water storage portion 13, and the outside of the long hole 72 is formed by being sealed with a transparent plate 73.
Also in this case, the water level in the water storage unit 13 can be directly visually observed from the transparent plate (viewing window) 73.

In the second embodiment, the container body side wall 1
In the height part where the soil 9 in 2 is accommodated, a slot 71 is also provided.
(Located immediately above the long hole 72 on the water storage section 13 side). Then, the long hole 71 is provided with a hygroscopic material 7 such as a sponge.
4 and a transparent plate 73 outside the elongated hole 71.
And sealed. The hygroscopic material 74 has a property of absorbing the moisture in the soil 9 and discoloring blackish as the absorbed water increases, and the degree of discoloration of the hygroscopic material 74 is determined by the transparent plate 73.
The degree of wetness of the soil 9 can be detected by visually observing from outside.

The other configuration of the container for growing plants of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. Third Embodiment A plant growing container with a water storage portion according to a third embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 employs a cylindrical container-shaped flower pot composed of an outer container 5 and an inner container 6.

In the outer container 5, a cylindrical side wall 52 is integrally formed on the outer periphery of a circular bottom wall 51, and a water level indicator 4 made of a transparent pipe 41 is formed on the side wall 52 (same configuration as in the first embodiment). And a drain port 55 for overflow is formed at a predetermined height from the bottom wall 51.

The inner container 6 has a cylindrical side wall 62 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outer container 5 integrally formed on the outer periphery of the circular bottom wall 61 and an upper edge of the outer container 5 at the upper end of the side wall 62. To form a flange 63 to be locked. Inner container side wall 6
Small projecting walls 64, 64 serving as spacers
The inner container 6 is accommodated in the outer container 5 and has a predetermined small interval (for example, an interval of about 5 to 6 mm) over the entire circumference between the outer container side wall 52 and the inner container side wall 62 when the inner container 6 is accommodated in the outer container 5. Is formed.

The inner container 6 has its flange 63 attached to the outer container 5.
In this state, a space having a predetermined height is formed between the lower surface of the inner container bottom wall 61 and the upper surface of the outer container bottom wall 51 in a state of being locked to the opening edge of the inner container. This space serves as a water storage section 13 formed at the bottom of the container body, and the height of the water storage section 13 can be appropriately set within a range of, for example, about 5 to 10 cm. The space 54 and the water storage 53 are continuous.

The bottom wall 61 of the inner container 6 is formed with drain holes 65 composed of a number of small holes, and sucks the water stored in the water storage section 13 onto the bottom wall 61 of the inner container. Are attached at a plurality of locations (four locations in the illustrated example).

On the side wall 62 of the inner container 6, a large number of small water holes 67 are formed near the upper surface 9a of the soil 9 accommodated in the inner container. Each of the water passages 67, 67 is for letting surplus water flooded near the soil upper surface 9 a in the inner container 6 flow out to the space 54 side.

In the container for growing plants according to the third embodiment, the inner container 6 containing the soil 9 can be attached to and detached from the outer container 5. 5 can remove mud accumulated at the bottom and clean the inside. Also, in the plant growing container of the third embodiment, the water stored in the water storage unit 13 does not hinder the watering for a few days, and furthermore, the rain occurs during outdoor use. When the vicinity of the upper surface 9a of the soil 9 becomes flooded, the excess water is discharged to the inner container side wall 6.
The water flows out from the second water passages 67 to the space 54 side. Further, when the water level in the water storage section 53 increases until the water level reaches the drain port 55 due to the water flowing into the space portion 54, the water automatically overflows from the drain port 55 as shown by the symbol B, and the bottom of the soil 9 Is not immersed in the water in the water storage unit 13. Also in the third embodiment, the height of the water level in the water storage section 53 can be known from the transparent pipe 41 of the water level display section 4.

In the third embodiment, a circular double container is used as a plant growing container, but in other embodiments, a rectangular double container may be used.

[0038]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the plant growing container with a water storage portion is provided with a water passage portion 31 (or an upper surface 9a) near the upper surface 9a of the soil 9 accommodated in the container body 1 (or the inner container 6). 67)
Is provided, and when the vicinity of the soil upper surface 9a becomes flooded during rainfall, the surplus water is allowed to flow out of the water flowing portion 31 (or 67) into the space portion 14 (or 54) provided in the container side wall portion,
Further, the water can be stored in the water storage section 13 (or 53) at the bottom of the container, and the water level in the water storage section 13 can be controlled by the drain port 1
When the height reaches 5 (or 55), the increased water thereafter is automatically discharged from the drain port.

Therefore, in the container for growing plants with water reservoirs according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, even if the amount of rainfall into the container is larger than the amount of water permeated into the soil 9, the plant cultivation container has the upper surface 9 a of the soil 9. There is an effect that rainwater does not accumulate and adverse effects on plants can be eliminated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the water storage section 13
(Or 53) is provided with the water level display unit 4 which allows the height of the water level in the water to be visually observed from the outside. There is an effect that the amount of water can be easily detected, and the timing of watering can be accurately grasped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a plant growing container with a water storage unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the plant growing container with a water storage unit of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container portion of a plant growing container with a water storage unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a plant growing container with a water storage unit using the container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a plant growing container with a water storage unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the plant growing container with a water storage unit of FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a container body, 2 is an inner bottom material, 3 is an inner wall material, 4 is a water level indicator, 5 is an outer container, 6 is an inner container, 9 is soil, 9a is a soil upper surface, 11 is a container body bottom wall, and 12 is a container body bottom wall. 13 is a water storage portion, 14 is a space portion, 15 is a drain port, 21 is a drain hole, 2
2 is a leg, 23 is a water-absorbing material, 31 is a water-permeable portion, 41 is a transparent pipe, 42 is a float, 51 is an outer container bottom wall, 52 is an outer container side wall, 53 is a water storage portion, 54 is a space portion, and 55 is a space portion. Drain,
61 is an inner container bottom wall, 62 is an inner container side wall, 65 is a drain hole, 66 is a water absorbing material, 67 is a water passage part, 72 is a long hole, and 73 is a transparent plate.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) A01G 27/00 A01G 27/00 502S

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An inner bottom material (2) on which soil (9) is placed at a predetermined height from the bottom surface of the container body (1), and the inner bottom material (2) in the container body (1) is placed. The water reservoir (1
3), a plant cultivation container with a water storage portion that allows water in the water storage portion (13) to penetrate into the soil (9) on the midsole material (2) via the water absorbing material (23). An inner wall material (3) is installed inside the at least a part of the side wall (12) of the container body (1) at a predetermined small interval from the inner surface of the side wall (12). Inner surface and inner wall material (3)
A space (14) communicating with the water storage (13) between
And an upper surface (9) of the soil (9) on the inner wall material (3).
In the vicinity of the height where a) is located, there is formed a water passage part (31) through which a part of the rainwater falling in the container body (1) can flow out to the space part (14) side, and the container body (1) )) On the side wall (12) of said insole (2)
The drain for overflow (1
5) A plant growing container with a water storage part, wherein the container is provided. 2. An outer container (5) serving as an exterior body and soil (9).
And a bottom wall (61) of the inner container (6) in the outer container (5) when the inner container (6) is accommodated in the outer container (5). A water reservoir (53) having a predetermined depth remains below, and water in the water reservoir (53) penetrates into the soil (9) in the inner container (6) through the water absorbing material (66). A container for growing plants with a water reservoir, the side wall (52) of the outer container (5) and the side wall (6) of the inner container (6).
A space (54) at a predetermined small interval communicating with the water storage (13) is formed between the inner container (2) and the soil (9) on the side wall (62) of the inner container (6).
A water passage (67) is formed near the height where the upper surface (9a) is located so as to allow a part of the rainwater falling into the inner container (6) to flow toward the space (54). Inner container bottom wall (6) on side wall (52) of container (5)
A plant growing container with a water storage part, wherein a drain port (55) for overflow is provided near the height where 1) is located. 3. The water storage section (1) according to claim 1 or 2,
A plant growing container with a water storage section, wherein a water level display section (4) is provided so that the height of the water level in (3, 53) can be visually observed from outside.